Both Dr. Santori said her late husband, Richard, were dedicated to lifelong learning. Richard Santori passed away in 2010. He was the owner of auto dealerships in and around Aurora.

Gina Santori is a physician and surgeon who is on staff at Rush-Copley Medical Center. She now practices only on a pro bono basis caring for diabetic and renal patients.

“My husband, a self-taught man, was never afforded the education that he held so dear,” Dr. Santori said. “He studied each morning with the reading of encyclopedias to act as his curriculum. It served him well in his life and he mentored others with his generosity of knowledge and time.”

A set of his encyclopedias is on display in the Santori Library Atrium near the stairwell.